Dave Ross stuck in traffic from sea to shining sea

At 10 p.m. on a Wednesday, everything in sight is illuminated by red break lights. Everyone is stopped and it’s been that way for a while. This is the Beltway, but it looks a lot like I-5, I-405 and I-90.

Seattleites aren’t alone when it comes to traffic woes – not even close.

The other Washington is the most gridlock-plagued city in America. That’s according to a report released this summer by INRIX and The Texas A&M Transportation Institute. Seattle ranked in the top 10.

Follow Dave Ross’ trip to the White House

Each commuter in D.C. spends 82 hours delayed in traffic each year. That’s more than two weeks of work for the average American.

The problem is, no matter which Washington you live in, traffic isn’t getting any better.

“The average travel delay per commuter nationwide is more than twice what it was in 1982,” officials stated in a release about the study.

The nation’s capital doesn’t offer much hope for a solution either. It was the first city in America to start a bike share program back in 2008. It boasts an expansive metro rail and bus system that serves 5 million people. Residents that want to stay off the roads as much as possible use car2go. And yet, it still tops the charts.

So, what does this mean? Is there no hope for Seattleites to one day drive down Mercer Street at 4 p.m. without issue?

Or maybe Seattle’s voter-approved $930 million Move Seattle levy will make our city the first in the nation to fix traffic.

Regardless, one thing is for sure. No matter the coast, sitting in traffic is an experience shared by all, and that makes it American.

Though Wednesday evening’s traffic was reminiscent of a commute through Seattle, traffic around Dupont Circle during morning rush hour was almost non-existent, compared to Mercer Street.

“Doesn’t look bad at all,” Dave Ross said.

Follow Dave Ross and Kelsey Mallahan as Dave makes his way inside the White House to interview President Obama about the Affordable Care Act.